When the unexpected happens, you must be prepared with some essentials to ensure the situation doesn’t become dire. As the economy worsens and the bad weather becomes a frequent occurrence, it is more important than ever to have an emergency kit prepared for you and your loved ones.
Government organizations such as FEMA suggest you prepare an emergency kit for each member of the family, including your pets, for at least three days. When preparing your emergency kit, you should have two types: a to-go kit that is lightweight and portable to carry packed with the essentials for a 72-hour emergency and a kit to use at home when you are stuck inside your home with a two-week emergency supply.
Water
Water is vital to all life. Humans cannot live without water and in fact can only live two to 10 days depending on various factors, including the temperature, without access to drinking water. It is crucial you stock your emergency kit with water and the materials needed to clean water from an unknown source.
For your to-go emergency kit, you must include a minimum of 1 liter per person, per day. Remember, water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon, so make sure you have enough for 72 hours but also light enough to carry.
For your at home emergency kit, set aside at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day. Set aside enough for a two-week emergency.
Food
Believe it or not, humans can survive much longer without food than they can without water. This doesn’t mean you want to though. To ensure you remain alive and well, pack an adequate amount of lightweight, non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods with you in both your to-go and at home emergency kit.
Dried foods, freeze dried foods and lightweight canned goods are great for your to-go emergency kit. You can include heavier canned goods and bulk dried foods in your at home emergency kit. Make sure to include a can opener in each kit.
Fire Making Tools
You won’t realize the importance of making a fire until it’s too late. The ability to make a fire will ensure you have warmth, are able to boil your water for potability and have a way to prepare your food without electricity.
Numerous survival specialists suggest to include three different methods to prepare a fire. In an emergency situation, you simply don’t want to be without this essential. Make sure in both your to-go and at home emergency kit you have three different methods to easily create a fire.
Poncho/Tarp
We all know how miserable it feels to be soaking wet after a downpour, so imagine having the same wet clothes on for days at a time. Not only will you feel miserable, you have a high chance of getting sick.
Having a poncho that can double as a tarp can oftentimes mean the difference between life and death. It will prevent you from getting wet, especially in cold climates where you risk the chance of hypothermia and can be your shelter from the elements and wildlife while you sleep.
First Aid Kit
If it’s an emergency, certainly you won’t be able to predict the injuries you or your family will incur during the process so be prepared. Whether it’s an emergency in which you have to be on the move or at home when it may be difficult for the ambulance or police to get to you, you want to be prepared.
Make sure to include an emergency kit that can take care of your entire family in each of your emergency kits. Also, become familiar with the components, including in your first aid kit, there is nothing worse than not having a first aid kit than not knowing how to use it.
Sources:
FEMA: Assemble Disaster Supplies – http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/assemble_disaster_supplies_kit.shtm